CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

Plant Shopping For a Cause

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May is when gardeners get serious about buying plants. By early June, they’re putting the finishing touches on their gardens, which just happens to coincide with Hospice & Community Care’s plant sale.

Tim Arpin (left) and James Henning of The Gilded Lily are once again spearheading a plant sale that benefits Hospice & Community Care.

Tim Arpin and James Henning of The Gilded Lily know all too well how busy May can be in the garden – they find themselves working nonstop on projects for clients throughout the month. But they ask that you save space in a bed or perhaps postpone filling that last container and patronize a plant sale they spearheaded three years ago to benefit an organization that is near and dear to their hearts – Hospice & Community Care.

The Backstory 

Tim has supported Hospice’s famed Labor Day Auction for nearly 25 years. While his plant sale at the auction has always been successful, he felt there was a better way for him to contribute to the cause. “I kept saying September is not the month people are looking to buy plants,” he explains. He envisioned a separate fundraiser that would be held at a more lucrative time of the year – spring. 

The parking lot at The Essa Flory Center will be filled with plants on June 3 and 4.

A New Benefit Takes Root 

Four years ago, Tim and James took their idea to Hospice and it was agreed that the new fundraiser would debut in June 2020. The Gilded Lily took on the responsibility of growing and/or providing all the plants for the sale. COVID-19, of course, caused the format of the sale to pivot to one in which shoppers could place orders online and then utilize a drive-thru set-up to pick them up on the day of the sale. “We were happy with the fact that it was well received,” says James. “We saw its potential and viewed it as a year of growth.” 

The sale will feature perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, herbs, houseplants, succulents and shrubs.

Growing Forward 

With COVID restrictions eased, last year’s sale looked more like the one Tim and James originally envisioned. Six truckloads of plants filled the parking lot of The Essa Flory Center on Good Drive. “People were able to shop in person,” Tim notes. To everyone’s delight, sales doubled. 

The Worker Bees 

Tim and James take pride in the fact that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of plants benefits Hospice & Community Care. However, they say they could not conduct the sale without the help of Hospice volunteers who begin arriving at The Gilded Lily’s greenhouses in April to plant seeds and, as the season progresses, pot up plants and then help to prepare the hanging baskets and container gardens. “Without those volunteers, the sale would not happen,” Tim notes. 

Container gardens and hanging baskets will also be available.

Plant Sale #3

This year’s sale will be held over the course of two days – June 3 and 4. In addition to the wide variety of plants – perennials, annuals, shrubs, veggies, herbs, houseplants and succulents – container gardens and hanging baskets will also be available. “We’ll also have a Bargain Corner,” Tim says, adding that he and James will be on-site Friday to answer questions and assist customers. In addition, food trucks will be on-site both days.

Details

Location: The Essa Flory Center, 685 Good Drive in Lancaster 

Hours: June 3, 3-7 p.m. June 4, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. (rain/shine) 

Tender: Cash, checks and credit cards 

Questions: hospiceandcommunitycare.org  

Dine and Shop in Brickerville

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The Brickerville House and its shops have become a dining/shopping destination. “People enjoy the restaurant’s historic atmosphere. They dine here and then visit the shops, or they’ll come shopping and then grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. It’s a great day out,” says George Agadis, who owns the restaurant with his brother, Tony. 

The Garden Room was recently remodeled to better reflect the Colonial period to which the building dates. Tony Agadis, who oversees the kitchen, also enjoys the design process and took on the responsibility of transforming the space.

While the restaurant continues to be known as the Brickerville House, the shopping complex was recently rebranded as Bricker Village. The 14 locally owned shops offer a variety of products ranging from antiques, wine, chocolates, glass items, clothing and jewelry to such services as home decorating and photography. A salon/spa is also on the premises. The seasonal ice cream stand, Brickerville Ice Cream Shop, will be open through Labor Day. Of the rebranding, Tony’s wife, Halina, explains, “We wanted to increase awareness of the diverse community of businesses that call our property home. We also want people to realize that Brickerville House Restaurant is a member of a larger small business community.” 

Located north of Lititz, the Brickerville House was built by John and Barbara Bricker in 1753. As it was located on the main road (now Route 322) that carried traffic between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the original portion of the house served as a stagecoach stop and tavern. George Washington may not have eaten, drank or slept there, but local figures such as Peter Grubb and Henry William “Baron” Stiegel did. “People love the history,” George says.

The Brickerville House has served area diners for quite some time, and the Agadis brothers have made it their own since purchasing the restaurant in December 2008. “The restaurant property has been evolving since we bought it,” George notes. “Some of our regular guests dine with us two or three times a week. We also serve multiple generations of the same family, and we’ve seen kids who dined here with their parents grow up and now they’re bringing their own kids here.”

Breakfast: Pancakes • Bricker Village Photo
Lunch: Spinach pie • Bricker Village Photo
Dinner: Delmonico steak • Bricker Village Photo

Both George and Tony grew up in the restaurant business in Manhattan, learning from the bottom up. Their father, Mike, owned a restaurant, and both brothers worked there. George earned an economics degree from New York University, and although he went into banking, the restaurant business was in his blood and he continued to wait tables and bartend on weekends. Tony fell in love with the kitchen. As a child, he could often be found in the kitchen with his mother, Asimina, who created traditional Greek dishes and fabulous desserts. He followed his dreams and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

George (left) and Tony Agadis, who grew up in the restaurant business in Manhattan, have owned the Brickerville House dining-and-shopping complex since 2008.

Although The Brickerville House seats 225, it is divided among a series of dining areas that create a sense of warmth and coziness. The dining area off the entry is known as the General Store. This cheery area features exposed stone walls and rafters. Seating is via booths and a counter. The light-filled, L-shaped Porch features a flagstone floor and is a great place to watch the pedestrian activity at the adjacent Bricker Village. The area also houses shelves filled with coffee beans that may be ground and purchased. The Library, with its faux bookshelves, is situated between the Porch and the General Store. Behind the General Store is the Fireplace Room, which has exposed stone walls, wainscoting and a Colonial-style stone fireplace. To the rear is the light and airy Garden Room. 

The General Store, which features a counter and booths, is a favorite of regular customers who are on the go.

“Over the past few years, we’ve redone several areas of the restaurant including the Porch. Recently, the Garden Room had a makeover with new windows, flooring, tables and décor. Tony took charge of the makeover; he’s got a great sense of style,” George says.

The menu features a wide array of items and everything is made from scratch including mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The restaurant has become known for its buttermilk pancakes, 8-oz. charbroiled burgers and summer salads. Other popular items include baked chicken pie, stuffed-flounder Florentine, honey-garlic chicken, Asian glazed ribs, prime rib (weekends only) and spinach-artichoke chicken breast. Greek dishes such as spinach pie (spanakopita) are also a specialty of the house. Be sure to save some room for dessert!  

The Brickerville House Restaurant is located at 2 E. 28th Division Highway (the corner of Routes 501 and 322), Lititz. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Reservations are suggested for parties of eight or more. Take-out is available. BYOB is permitted. Call 717-625-2525 or visit brickervillehouserestaurant.com. Hours for the individual shops/businesses in Bricker Village vary. For details, visit brickervillage.com.

Front Porch Baking Co.: Grain Forward

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Earlier this year, Food & Wine magazine presented a state-by-state rundown of the best forward-thinking bread bakers in the country. For Pennsylvania, author David Landsel profiled three such enterprises, including two in Philadelphia and one – Front Porch Baking Co. –  in Millersville. 

Kristen Richards-Sollenberger and her husband, Brenton Sollenberger, were both laid off from their jobs during the pandemic and now work together in support of Kristen’s vision of becoming a successful independent baker and a small business owner. She is well on her way to achieving both goals, as Front Porch Baking Co. earned kudos from Food & Wine magazine earlier this year.
Front Porch Baking Co. will also be collaborating with Fifth Month Farm’s summer CSA. Kristi Barto of Fifth Month Farm is excited to work with Kristen, noting, “Kristen works very hard to utilize and highlight baking with locally sourced grains and working with sourdough, which I think is painfully missing in the Lancaster baking scene. The reliance on imported wheat is big and her commitment to working with smaller milling operations on the East Coast, I think, is a big deal.”

With summer just around the corner, how fortunate is Lancaster to have access to a talent such as Kristen Richards-Sollenberger? If you’re going on a picnic or doing a tasting at a winery, her bread paired with cheese or topped with jam would be sublime. If guests are arriving for the weekend, her turnovers, muffins and quiche would be perfect additions to brunch. If you’re craving homemade pizza, she can provide you with the dough. If a bash for Mother’s Day or graduation is on your agenda, Front Porch offers cookies and other treats.   

Front Porch Baking Co.

Kristen begins the baking process by kneading and then proofing the dough that was created with a natural starter yeast that she affectionately named Gertrude in honor of a great aunt. Kristen’s naturally leavened sourdough bread provides the makings for the ultimate grilled-cheese sandwich due to its chewy crust and supple crumb.

Baking sourdough bread was one of many culinary trends that “fed” social media during the height of the pandemic. Successful attempts posted on social media took on the merit of a badge-like achievement. Kristen Richards-Sollenberger, however, took it a step further and committed herself to her passion for baking and her formal training and launched a full-time bakery.

Kristen had known for years that she wanted to bake independently. It’s both a passion that is rooted in family and a career she has developed over time. Much of her knowledge was passed on to her by her maternal grandmother, Nanny Elsie, who taught her how to bake traditional European recipes such as rye bread, pfeffernüsse cookies and stollen, a German spiced cake with fruit that is popular at Christmas. (Elsie, along with her son and daughter, moved to the United States from Germany in the 1950s.) Kristen’s formal training at the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts further developed her baking and pastry skillsets. 


How Kristen came up with the name Front Porch Baking Co. turned out to be apropos. “I had the name [before] the pandemic but it also tied in perfectly with the porch pickups,” Kristen says of the bake sales she held on her front porch and the sense of community they cultivated. “It was so fun to welcome whoever showed up on my front porch,” she recalls. “I never knew who would come by and it led to me developing some great relationships because of it. Anyone could walk onto my front porch for baked goods and I would be there for them at that moment. That’s how we aim to make folks feel.”

When Kristen was laid off from her previous job due to the pandemic, she doubled down and changed her focus. Fortunately, pre-COVID, she had honed her baking skills through attending workshops and sharpened her business skills through courses offered by ASSETS and E-Cornell. 

Using a subscription model, Kristen worked to develop a customer base to minimize risk before fully fitting out a bakery. In October 2020, Kristen subleased a 100-square-foot space at Lancaster Marketplace, setting short-term goals that if all else failed, she could sell her equipment to recoup part of her investment. “I’ve found that your customers will find you if you believe in your values and show people that. I honor my values and adapt to whoever comes in the door,” says Kristen.

Six months later and after Lancaster Marketplace closed, Front Porch Baking Co. moved from Kristen’s front porch to a commercial location in Millersville. Kristen, who is a graduate of Penn Manor High School, loves being part of the community. “I want to make people happy with my baking and if I can make a living at it, they should go hand in hand,” says Kristen. Preorder sales and a baking schedule that can be found on Front Porch’s website and social media help customers plan their purchases, stay connected and see what ingredients are coming together to produce a variety of new baked goods daily. “It does help me plan but it gives people preordering a specific day to come in,” says Kristen.

Loaves of banana bread baked with bananas sliced lengthwise.

Since opening, Kristen has adapted and grown to meet the needs of her customers and the community. “There weren’t many healthy lunch options in Millersville,” she says, so every Wednesday, Front Porch prepares a soup of the week that usually lasts through Friday. Quiche is another popular lunchtime item. Coffee from Square One is also on the menu, which helps to make Front Porch a popular stop for a fresh bite on the go.

“Half of our customers really believe in what Kristen wants to do,” says her husband, Brenton. “The other half are couples who walk their kids to school. They’re coming by here five days a week and may not be thinking about the bakery, but they’re happy we are here.” Many folks who stop in are coming from other businesses in the area, such as the salon next door, or they’re the people who work nearby. As we were chatting, a stylist from the salon opened the front door to quickly ask, “What’s the soup today?”

The Costs of Local

You’ve probably seen the PA Preferred label that denotes products are made entirely with Pennsylvania ingredients. For Kristen, valuing local comes at a price. “It does cost me more to buy local grain and local flour,” she notes. “I would love it if more farmers in Lancaster grew grains for human consumption.” While there are exceptions, much of the grain grown in Lancaster is produced for animal feed, especially silage corn. “I feel strongly that the money I’m spending on my business, that customers spend here, stays in local farms and businesses in Pennsylvania,” says Kristen. 

On her website, Kristen defines her “dream to create a long-lasting connection from farmer to miller, to baker to consumer. I am committed to starting and continuing that conversation here as I expand my reach into the community of Lancaster.” Given how she sources her ingredients locally, the connections within the community are clear.

Fresh out-of-the-oven malty-salty chocolate chip cookies.

“We bake within seasons,” says Kristen. “Our handmade sourdough bread often highlights seasonal fruit or vegetables.” One of Kristen’s stops is Lancaster Central Market, where she purchases small quantities of in-season produce. Upon learning that local figs are baked into sourdough bread in late summer, I can’t help but smile. As we head towards summer, Front Porch plans to introduce “more laminated and naturally leavened” pastries into its mix of baked goods such as danishes and croissants.

Gertrude

If you ask any number of bakers how they use yeast, the answers will be remarkably varied. Larger wholesalers and massive producers of refined bread typically value instant yeast for the shelf-life, consistency and speed at which bread can be baked. Smaller, more artisanal bakers often opt to use as little as possible for a slower, hand-made approach. “We don’t use commercial yeast,” says Kristen, picking up a container of bubbly dough. “We use a sourdough-starter yeast.” Yeast is everywhere in the air we breathe and natural leavening allows that yeast to take over water and flour. Naturally leavened bread that utilizes an established starter takes at least three days and is what develops complex flavors and rich textures in artisanal bread.

Anytime a sourdough starter is used to make a new batch of bread, only part of the starter is used. An equal amount of flour and water replenish the dough taken out, ensuring there’s enough to sustain the wild yeast. This natural yeast creates carbon dioxide gases in the dough, giving it that tangy, leavened, cavernous quality. As a nod to her family history, Kristen’s starter yeast is affectionately named after her Great Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude, or Gertie for short, is a living blend of flour, water and wild yeast that Kristen has kept active for approximately eight years. 

Reclaiming a Quality of Life for Producers

Over the past two years, food producers and restaurants have taken steps to diversify sources of income, with a license to improve quality of life. Much like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), subscription-based models empower small producers, growers and makers. “Prioritizing a work-life balance means we only have certain things,” says Kristen of the carefully crafted menu. It’s exciting to have a handful of amazing choices that change like a seasonal menu, rather than unchanging and mass-produced foods. 

Blueberry muffins exhibit a delightful, whole-grain flavor. The sweetness factor is provided by local blueberries that were harvested and frozen last July.

In addition to creating a rotating menu or schedule of baked goods, Front Porch also offers a CSA option. Front Porch Baking is now partnering with Fifth Month Farm (fifthmonthfarm.com) to offer its bread as an add-on for their new summer CSA fruit and vegetable share. The good news is Fifth Month will be offering more pick-up locations for subscribers throughout the area. For Kristen, participating in a CSA ensures less waste. As for subscribers, they are guaranteed to receive bread that’s made just for them.

Grain Forward

In the history of the world, and particularly in the United States over the past few decades, bread and grains have been on a complex journey. In ancient Egypt, refined flour was considered the zenith of flours. Throughout American history, that perception was pushed to the extreme, with bleached-white flour producing quick, inexpensive and flavorless bread, before circling back to a resurgence of whole-grain bread.

Quiche is one of the newer additions to the menu. Par-baking the crust ensures it will be fully baked and flaky before it’s filled with a batter that could contain bacon, potatoes, caramelized onions, leeks, kale or ricotta.

“There’s no flavor or health benefits to bleached white flour,” Kristen says of the process that removes nutrients and then adds flour with other nutrients. “Enriched flour is more shelf-stable and there are fewer oils to turn it rancid,” she explains. However, it’s stripped of its original quality. 

Baking connoisseurs have come to track varieties of grains, much like coffee aficionados seek out specific coffee beans or craft beer drinkers identify the flavors of particular hops. Similarly, learning the characteristics of each grain, such as where it’s grown and the climates in which it grows well, is becoming part of the process.

The flaky, buttery crust of apple turnovers envelops a filling that is subtly sweet, tender and slightly crunchy.

Different types of grain, as well as how they are milled and processed, are better suited for specific uses. Typically, in baking, specific flours are selected for either bread or pastries. Bread flour usually has 11-15% protein, creating a chewy, dense bread with more gluten or chains of protein. Pastries need flour on the other end of the spectrum, with less protein. All-purpose flour has 10% or less protein. Adding oil, fat and/or sugar creates layers of air in delicate, flaky crusts. “Gluten is a protein,” Kristen points out. “The more you mix it, the stronger the bonds become, and the less extensibility it exhibits. If it’s overworked and returns to its shape after stretching, it needs time to relax.” 

Spelt flour is a somewhat unique option that can be used for both bread and pastries, as it has a protein level of 10-11%. Sourced at Small Valley Milling in Halifax, Dauphin County, spelt is one of Kristen’s choice flours and she uses it in her spelt streusel coffee cake recipe. Perfectly sweet, with a satisfyingly salty, savory undertone, her coffee cake is my favorite recipe I’ve tried thus far. It’s not too dry or dense but offers a crumbly texture so satisfying that I’m reluctant to share it.

Spelt coffee cake has a savory quality, as it’s sweet with a satisfying salty undertone.

Front Porch Baking Co. is located at 513 Leaman Avenue, Millersville. Hours are Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. For more info, visit frontporchbakingco.com.

Recommended Reading & Recipe Books

Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes by Jeffrey Hamelman.

The Bread Baker’s Apprentice – Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart.

Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza by Ken Forkish.

The Tivoli Road Baker: Recipes and Notes from a Chef Who Chose Baking by Michael and Pippa James.

Hummingbirds!

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Continuing last month’s column on attracting songbirds to the garden, the focus this month is on the special characteristics and needs of the enthralling Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

There is not much that can compare to the joy of sighting the iridescence of a Hummingbird close at hand. Compared to songbirds, they are remarkable for their unique flying ability that enables them to hover over flowers and thrust their needle-sharp bills deep inside blossoms to gather nectar and tiny insects. Their bodies seem almost motionless at times because of the rapid motion of their wings, which produces a low humming sound, giving them their common name. They can even fly backwards!  

Capable of Incredible Feats!

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), the only breeding hummer in eastern North America, is common to our area. (A half-dozen species are found in the West and Southwest.) It has an iridescent red throat and a green crown and back. The iridescent parts of the feathers are flat and reflect light in just one direction and therefore, the sun must strike the feathers in just the right way or they will look almost black.

A male’s wings can beat 78 times per second during regular flight and up to 200 times per second during a dive. Their wings are fixed and rigid except at the shoulder joint, allowing them to move freely in all directions. Its heart beats 1,260 times per minute. At rest, it takes 250 breaths per minute. The movement of hummers is limited to flight, as their small feet prevent them from walking or hopping. However, they can shuffle along a perch.  

An adult measures 3.75 inches in length and weighs only 3.5 grams on average. Despite their size, many fly nonstop every year to and from Mexico, their wintering grounds. Their usual lifespan is 3 to 5 years.

Hummers feed from dawn to dusk. They locate their food by sight, as they do not have a sense of smell. 

Nesting

Hummingbirds nest in sheltered trees or shrubs, often favoring pines, spruces, maples and birches. The nest is constructed by the female over the course of six to 10 days. Wanting her nest to be soft and flexible, she starts with leaves as a base and then adds twigs and bits of plants. It’s finished off with moss and lichen to camouflage the nest and make it soft. Catkin-bearing trees and shrubs – like willows, witch hazels and birches – provide soft plant fibers for nesting materials. The entire nest is held together by spider silk, which she incorporates. (Fostering spiders will encourage Hummingbirds to nest nearby and control many insect pests.)

The nests are only an inch in diameter; you will seldom find them because of the camouflage. It will look like a small knot of wood. The flexible materials allow the nest to expand as the chicks grow. Since they lose their shape, nests are used only once. 

Hummingbird eggs are about the size of jellybeans. There are usually two eggs and they are incubated for two to three weeks. The juveniles leave the nest 18 to 28 days after hatching. The female provides all direct parental care of the young, receiving no help from the male. 

Feeders

It is not difficult to attract this enchanting bird to your garden. One way is with a feeder. Most are made of plastic, some of glass, but any will work well. Most of the feeders will have flower patterns or red sections that are attractive to Hummingbirds. It is important to keep them filled with a sugar-water solution and cleaned regularly.

It’s a good idea to place your feeders where they will not be jostled by wind. Also, don’t position them in full sun, which causes the sugar solution to spoil. Feeders can be suspended from a tree limb or metal support. There are also feeders that can be mounted on a window. 

Early on you will notice how territorial the Hummingbird is around a food source, especially during the breeding season. Aggressive toward other hummers is more descriptive, which is a good reason to put up additional feeders in other areas out of view!

Hummingbirds get quick energy from sugar-water feeders, which fuels their search for the small insects and spiders that they find inside the flowers and provide most of their nourishment. Hummingbirds will also feed on tree sap when nectar is scarce or unavailable.

Planting for Hummingbirds

Your Hummingbird garden can be as simple as a flower box or a collection of pots on a patio, or as expansive as an herbaceous border or wildflower meadow. If space permits, provide plants varying in height, as this allows access to all the flowers; hummers need space around the blooms to hover and feed comfortably. Obviously make flowers and flowering shrubs available for nectar, as well as trees of different heights for them to perch. 

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Tubular flowers seem especially adapted to accommodate the long bills and long tongues of hummers. Red flowers are especially attractive since they are most easily distinguished from other colors (bees, interestingly, are not drawn to red). However, the main factor in flower choice is reward. Hummingbirds have no difficulty hovering below a flower or gathering nectar from a narrow, tubular flower. Also, hummers care nothing about scent, which is an attractant for pollinating insects. 

Interestingly, pollen from differently shaped flowers is picked up on different parts of the hummer including the forehead, chin and all around the bill. One study found that Ruby-throated hummers deposited 10 times as much pollen per visit as did bumble bees and honeybees. 

Favorite Plants for Hummers

Set a goal of having some “Hummingbird flowers” in bloom at all times during their annual visit. Remember that they like many types of flowers, not just red tubular ones, and that any flower that attracts insects is beneficial, as it provides that other essential part of a Hummingbird’s diet.

 

Trumpet Vine (Campsis, Bignonia): Vines can grow up sturdy trellises or along fences, making feeding easy for the birds. Blooms mid-summer. Can be very aggressive.

 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia): Very showy red flowers bloom June to September. Sun or shade. Prefers constant moisture. Will reseed.

 

Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Blooms April/May, just when the hummers are arriving. Sun or shade. Will self-seed.

 

Honeysuckle (Lonicera): Blooms May to June. Full sun. Fall berries are attractive to birds. Can be invasive.

 

Zinnia (Z. elegans): Annual with countless cultivars. Easy to grow from seed.

 

Petunias (Petunia): Annual with lots of color choices. 

 

Coral Bells (Heuchera): Available in a wide range of (foliage) colors. Spring to late-summer bloom times. ‘Autumn Bride’ is a favorite, late-summer bloom. Part sun/shade.

 

Salvia (Salvia): Many choices, both annuals and perennials. Blooms mid-to-late summer. Salvia greggii is my favorite. Deadhead for repeat blooms.

 

Lupines (Lupinus Russell Hybrids): This tall plant offers many colors. Blooms May into July. Full sun. 

 

Indian Pink (Spigelia): Underused native with interesting red and yellow flowers. June bloom time. Part shade, moist soil. Nice in a container.

 

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): A hummer magnet! Blooms May to July. Do not let dry out. Deadhead to prolong bloom. Needs good air circulation to avoid mildew. 

 

Morning Glory (Ipomoea): Annual. Flowers until fall. Easy to grow from seed. Needs support.

 

Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.): Annual. Fragrance is a bonus.

 

Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia): Tall plant with dramatic/bold flowers. Early summer bloomer. No boggy soil.

 

Phlox (Phlox drummondii): Annual. Blooms May to July (declines in heat). Great ground cover and for use in containers and rock gardens. Will reseed. 

 

Rose Campion (Lychnis): Vivid magenta flowers with wooly silver foliage. Blooms May into July in full sun. Easy to grow and will freely self-seed.

 

Jewelweed (Impatiens): Tall annual that self-seeds. Requires shade and wet soil.

 

Hosta (Hosta spp.): Grown for the foliage, but their flowers are an excellent nectar source.

 

Agastache (Agastache foeniculum): Mint-like foliage with tubular flowers that hummers love. Full sun, good drainage.

 

Hollyhock (Alcea): Biennial. Because of their height, they’re great for the back row of your border. Self-seeds.

 

Crocosmia (C. ‘Lucifer’): Tall plant that produces exotic-looking orange-to-red blooms.

 

Fuchsia (Fuchsia): This hummer magnet is not hardy but is a favorite in hanging baskets. 

Painting the River Towns En Plein Air

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Sixty local and regional artists are taking their work outdoors to capture the beauty of the Susquehanna River and surrounding river towns as part of this year’s River Towns Plein Air. The purpose of painting en plein air, which is French for “in the open air,” is to capture a landscape or scene as it appears at that moment without the aid of reference pictures. Artists started painting on April 18 and have until April 27 to create up to four submissions. The 10-day painting period culminates in an art exhibit and sale which will open on April 29 at Studio 264 in the Marietta Community House.

Artists start with a blank canvas and the method of their choosing, whether it be oil, watercolor, charcoal, pastel or pencil. They can choose to work at any time of day or night anywhere along the designated area of the river or at any of the suggested painting sites, such as John Wright Restaurant, the cherry blossoms along Front Street in Marietta, the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, Washington Boro Community Park and Chickies Creek Day Use Area. The painting sites were selected with the Susquehanna River in mind, but artists are also encouraged to paint the historic architecture, street scenes, wildlife and people found in the area. The public is welcome to watch artists as they work from a safe and respectful distance. For a map of possible painting locations, click here.

 

The best time for the public to watch the artists as they work will be on April 23 during the Quick Draw Paint Out, where artists will be challenged to finish a painting within two hours. The event, which starts at 10 a.m., will take place within a few blocks of Downtown Marietta. After the artists are finished painting at noon, the art will immediately be displayed for award selection by juror Matt Allyn Chapman. The artwork will also be available for purchase. For more information on the Quick Draw, visit mariettaartalive.com/qd.

Starting on April 29, the public will be able to admire the artists’ creations from the 10-day painting period at Studio 264. The public will also be able to purchase artwork and vote for their favorite painting as part of the People’s Choice award. Over $4,000 in prizes will be awarded to winning artists. Landscape artist Lou Shellenberg will serve as the juror of awards for this year’s exhibit. Thirty percent of art sales will benefit the Marietta Community House and Rivertownes PA USA.

The art exhibit and sale will be open on April 29 from 5-9 p.m., April 30 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Studio 264 is located at 264 West Market Street, Marietta. For more information, visit mariettaartalive.com/rtpa.

Garden Events Are Back!

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It’s time to get gardening and fortunately, many time-honored events and tours are back to help you get started or inspired. 

May 1 

Lititz Historical Foundation Plant Exchange 

Held in conjunction with the Lititz Garden Club, the event is held in the Mary Oehme Gardens. The exchange is limited to perennials and they must be tagged. 145 E. Main St., Lititz. 1:30 p.m. (rain/shine). For details, visit lititzhistoricalfoundation.com. 

May 6-7 

The Herb & Garden Faire 

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum’s annual garden extravaganza is back! Vendors will be offering heirloom, native and hard-to-find plants, as well as other gardening needs. Landis Valley’s Heirloom Seed Project will be offering vegetable seeds and plants, as well. 2451 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Visit landisvalleymuseum.org for details.

May 7 

Master Gardeners … Ready, Set, Shop 

This annual plant sale is returning to its in-person format. Shoppers will find a wide selection of native, perennial, annual and pollinator plants, as well as herbs and tomato/pepper plants. Soil test kits will also be available for purchase. An educational booth will be in operation. Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster. 8 a.m.-12 noon. For details, visit extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/lancaster. 

May 7

Plant & Garden Art Sale

This benefit for the Lancaster County Art Association, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, will feature annuals, perennials and shrubs – notably mini-sized crape myrtles – along with garden art, birdhouses, garden sculptures and more. 149 Precision Ave., Strasburg. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit lcaaonline.org for details.

June 3 & 4 

Hospice & Community Care Plant Sale 

The Gilded Lily will be providing perennials, annuals, shrubs, vegetable plants, herbs, houseplants, hanging baskets and container gardens for this sale, with 100% of proceeds benefiting Hospice & Community Care. Friday, 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. The Essa Flory Center, 685 Good Dr., Lancaster. Visit hospiceandcommunitycare.org for details.

June 11 

Columbia Garden Tour 

Gardening and creative expression come together to provide a unique tour that takes participants to some of the borough’s iconic period homes as well as to newer residences. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit createcolumbia.org for details.

June 11-12 

Secret Gardens of Strasburg 

Sponsored by the Strasburg Heritage Society, the tour returns to its traditional June weekend. The tour will take participants to a wide range of homes and gardens in and around Strasburg. For details, visit strasburgheritagesociety.org.

June 11-19 

Philadelphia Flower Show 

For a second year, the show is being held outdoors in late spring. This year’s theme, “In Full Bloom,” will feature the work of 40 designers. In addition, the show will boast 100+ vendors, as well as food and drink areas. FDR Park, South Philadelphia. Visit phsonline.org for details. 

July 8 & 9 

Porches & Posies 

Twelve stops comprised of both English and Amish gardens in and around the Southern End of the county are on this year’s tour. Proceeds benefit Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary renovations. Advance tickets are
$15 through July 1 and $20 at the door. Hours: Friday, 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 717-548-2763 for tickets. 

August 6 

Mount Gretna Tour of  Homes & Gardens 

The long-standing event – 36 years – takes visitors into the community’s famous cottages, as well as homes in newer neighborhoods. Proceeds benefit Gretna Music. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (rain/shine). Visit gretnamusic.org for details. 

October 9 

Garden Railways Tour 

Sponsored by the Railroad Museum of PA, the self-guided tour will take participants to homes where this unique merger of gardening and railroading has been transforming backyards all across the country. Visit rrmuseumpa.org for details. 

And, For Dog Lovers! 

May 7 

Mayfest in Maytown 

The Maytown Historical Society will be celebrating Maytown’s birthday – founded on May 1, 1760 – with dog and car shows, artist and historical demonstrations, family scavenger hunt, wedding vow renewals, quality vendors, cake walk and the traditional maypole dance. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. (rain/shine). For information, call 717-682-0953. 

May 21 

1st Annual Donegal Rotary Dog Fest 

The Donegal Rotary Club is sponsoring an event for dogs that will feature contests, vendors, demos by service dogs and K9 units and more. Proceeds will benefit Second Chance 4 Life Rescue, Susquehanna Service Dogs and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office K9 units. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Chickies Creek Day Use Area btw Columbia and Marietta on Route 441. Visit donegalrotary.com for details. 

June 12 

Pet Fest 

Bring your furry friends to Clipper Magazine Stadium and watch the Barnstormers take on the Lexington Legends. Pet-focused businesses, veterinary practices, adoption organizations and more will also be on hand. Entertainment starts at 12 p.m. Visit lancasterbarnstormers.com for details. 

    

   

Get Outdoors!

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Spring has finally arrived and with it comes opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather. 

 

Beginner Birding Trip

April 2, 9 a.m.
Riverfront Park, Marietta

Search for spring migrants and scope the Susquehanna River with the Lancaster County Bird Club. Lancasterbirdclub.org.

Birds, Nests, Eggs and Babies

April 2, 3-4 p.m.
Lancaster County Central Park Environmental Center

Learn about local birds and their nests that might be found in your yard. Also, check the nesting boxes around the Environmental Center and then make a bird nest container for your own backyard. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Shenk’s Ferry Wildflowers

April 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve

Enjoy a memorable walk through the preserve as its renowned spring wildflowers bloom. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Full Moon Walk: Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs

April 16, 8-9 p.m.
Lancaster County Central Park, Pavilion #21 Parking Lot

Take a walk along the wildflower trail under the light of the full moon as wildflowers and trees bud and bloom. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Terre Hill Easter Egg Hunt & Flashlight Hunt 

April 16
Terre Hill Park

Enjoy photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, face painting and egg hunts from 12-2 p.m. For older children, a flashlight egg hunt will take place at 8 p.m. Terrehilldays.com or 717-445-4581.

River Towns Plein Air

April 18-27
Various Locations

Artists will paint “en plein air” over a 10-day period on both sides of the Susquehanna River. Watch the artists at work, then visit the resulting art exhibit at Studio 264 in Marietta. Mariettaartalive.com or 717-314-9551.

Ephrata Earth Day Clean-Up  

April 23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Whistle Stop Plaza

Participants will meet at Whistle Stop Plaza and divide into groups assigned to clean up specific areas of Ephrata. Mainspringofephrata.org or 717-721-6196.

Celebrate Earth Day 

April 22, 6-7:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Central Park Environmental Center

Learn about Earth Day, make fun crafts and participate in a nature walk to pick up litter and beautify the park. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Speedwell Forge Family Hike

April 23, 2-3:30 p.m.
Speedwell Forge County Park

Enjoy spring wildlife and wilderness with a guided hike along the lowlands of Hammer Creek and a wooded loop trail through the hardwood forest. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Paddle in the Park

April 24, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:15-1:15 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Central Park

Experience canoeing in the Conestoga River. Three hourly time slots are available. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

Lancaster Barnstormers Opening Night

April 29, 6:30 p.m.
Clipper Magazine Stadium

Kick off the 2022 baseball season with a night of ’80s nostalgia, live music, fireworks and America’s favorite pastime as the Lancaster Barnstormers take on the York Revolution. Lancasterbarnstormers.com or 717-509-4487.

Race Against Racism

April 30, 9 a.m.
Musser Park

Run or walk in the 24th Annual Race Against Racism, hosted by YWCA Lancaster. Proceeds support the Center for Racial and Gender Equity and community programs for education, training, advocacy and change. Ywcalancaster.org or 717-393-1735.

Jim Hoffer: Coming Home

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Nestled at the back of Zum Anker Alley in Downtown Lititz is an impressive, three-story brick structure dating from the turn of the 20th century. The entrance of the reincarnated Lititz Shirt Factory opens to the one-way section of Juniper Lane and those who venture inside will discover the home of the Collusion Tap Works’ Lititz location and a two-tiered music and art venue within a restored piece of small-town history. “Re”established in 2020, the venture was sparked in the mind of Lititz native, Jim Hoffer.

A neon sign in the lobby of the building announces you have arrived at the Lititz Shirt Factory, which has become a modern-day community center, as it is home to a brewery, a music venue, a revolving art gallery and events such as weddings, business meetings and owner Jim Hoffer’s podcast that he hosts with Kim Schaller.

Multiple Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Jim Hoffer found his niche by sneaking around Naval bases, was devastated by 9/11 as it unraveled before his eyes, survived personal struggles and then decided to retire back to his hometown of Lititz … to start up a music venue. 

Jim took time to talk about his life and his new endeavor over a cup of coffee at Café Arabella.

THE KID FROM LITITZ

Café Arabella looks a lot different from when Jim worked here as a kid putting in daily shifts after school at what was then a local pharmacy. The work was as close to a full-time job as a teen could have. Raised by a single mother who worked at many Lititz institutions – including Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) and Stauffers of Kissel Hill – and raised four boys “pretty much on her own,” Jim says he was a good kid.

The three-story building that has served many purposes over its lifetime, was sitting empty when Jim Hoffer literally ran past it during a trip home to Lititz, and began considering new uses for it.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to get in trouble,” adds Jim, who spent a lot of time at work, kept his nose clean for the most part and participated in sports at Warwick, specifically running. “If you got in trouble back then, which would have been the late ’60s and early ’70s, someone would call you out on it. And then they’d let your mom know about it, too.”

He had his share of fun sprinkled with just a touch of mischief, but for the most part this community kept itself in check. He credits Lititz for having a “protective” nature and helping to raise him through his formative years. At Warwick High School, it was Jim’s 11th-grade speech teacher, Mrs. Wanda Shirk, who – impressed with his tone and delivery – recommended he go into radio. The recognition was all it took to set Jim on a career path. He graduated from Warwick, class of 1977, and went on to Temple University.

“I liked Temple a lot. I loved that besides the academic education, I also got a sort-of urban education,” Jim recalls. “Imagine growing up in Lititz and then all of a sudden living in South Philly. A huge Mafia war was going on at the time I lived there, and I was in the heart of the Italian section.” Shootings were commonplace in his neighborhood. Jim lived not far from Philip Charles Testa, a.k.a. The Chicken Man, who died from injuries sustained when a bomb exploded under the front porch of his South Philly home.

“There was a war going on,” says Jim. “But I loved living in Philadelphia. I still love that city.” 

THE PROFESSIONAL

LSF’s Facebook page tells the tale of the extent to which the building had deteriorated. Working with the TONO Group to repurpose the building was a nearly four-year process, with the goal being to create specific spaces for designated purposes on all three floors. Sandblasting the interior walls created a patina that only comes with age. Wood was repurposed to create flooring and staircases. Unique lighting from Olde Brick Lighting complements the era in which the building was constructed. Metal elements play into the industrial-modern vibe of the building. The art on the walls is from artist Frederick Swarr’s Musical Celebrities series and was on view from October through early February. LSF was presented with the Achievement Award for Great Spaces by the Lancaster County Planning Commission in 2021.

For a short time after college graduation, his hometown area filled Jim’s career needs. He started working at WSBA in York as a traffic reporter. He also worked in radio at WLPA in Downtown Lancaster. Jim took a post at WLYH Channel 15 in Mount Gretna, a CBS affiliate at the time, where he anchored local news for the first time. Today, sipping on coffee – one of his top two favorite beverages, the other being craft beer – the nostalgic chat about radio and TV stations of the past leads the conversation to 6ABC Action News out of Philadelphia, where legendary Jim Gardner was anchorman while Jim was going to school for journalism. 

The draw of a bigger market lured Jim away from Pennsylvania.“I didn’t start off as an investigator. At first, my favorite stories to tell were human interest and I accidentally fell into the career of investigative reporter,” he explains.

The “accident” started while he was working at an ABC affiliate in New Haven, Connecticut. He remembers how a tip came into the news desk. Naval Submarine Base New London is an hour’s drive east of New Haven and the tip questioned the facility’s security, claiming nuclear-powered subs were left unguarded. Jim teamed up with a photographer and headed to the base one evening. Sure enough, he drove an unmarked van right onto the base without question.

“This was shortly after the Oklahoma City bombing, which used a U-Haul to blow up a federal building. We wanted to see if we could get a van next to these submarines. We parked there for 30 minutes, and nobody said a thing. We even left it there unattended,” Jim says. The investigative spirit set in. He wondered if he could get a boat up to the subs. “We took this skiff up the Thames River and rode all around these boats, touching the submarines. Nobody said a word to us.”

The story went national. The governor of Connecticut got involved. Jim had found his niche. And then he left for New York City.

“My wife at the time [Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe] got a job at CBS in New York and we both wanted to be working in the same city,” Jim notes. He took a job at WABC Channel 7 in New York, where he served as an investigative journalist for 21 years. “I had a long, good run there,” he says of covering the 2003 blackout when parts of New York City were without power for two days; the American Airlines Flight 587 crash in the Rockaway Peninsula of Queens; and the Harlem Medicaid fraud, as well as other scams and forms of corruption. 

Our conversation turns to 9/11. On September 11, 2001, Jim headed to work a bit earlier than he usually would on a Tuesday morning. There was a primary election in the city, and he was tasked with fielding any reports of election irregularities.

“That day is indelible. It was the worst day of my life,” Jim says. A call came across the intercom stating a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center and Jim responded like he would for any kind of accident. Except, maybe part of him knew this was not any kind of accident; he was immediately queasy. “When the second plane hit, I realized we were under attack.”

He spent hours on the ground covering the story, dodging pieces of buildings as they fell around him. Billowing ash and debris served as a background to his live reports; a glance at his watch and he marked the time when the World Trade Towers no longer stood on the Manhattan skyline in a clip that can still be found on YouTube today.

“I saw things I hope I never have to see again,” he shares. “It felt surreal, and I don’t know if that is just the mind trying to protect itself, because I knew it was real. It was happening. You had to put it on automatic that day because if you thought about it too much, you would just break down.”

He credits his Lancaster County work ethic for propelling him through the tragedy and through the rest of his career. 

Eventually, the time came to lay down the microphone and step away from the camera lens. So, he left New York and headed back to Lititz. “A series of things happened to me. I realized, ‘Who knows how much time I have on this Earth,’” Jim recalls. He battled through prostate cancer and survived. His brother got cancer and did not. His marriage ended in a divorce.

“I thought, ‘If I’m going to do something else with my life before the sand runs out of the hourglass, I better get to it,’” says Jim, and then gestures over his shoulder. “So, I bought this building behind me.”

THE ENTREPRENEUR

The Inca Campers performed at LSF during the launch party for Lititz’s 2022 Fire & Ice Festival. Lititz-based Stray Production Services provides the sound and lighting for LSF events.

Rundown. Ramshackle. Those are the words Jim uses to describe 5 Juniper Lane, Lititz, when he got the idea to buy the building that would become Lititz Shirt Factory. The old factory started making men’s shirts in 1916 as the Tauber Ryttenberg and Company Shirt Factory. The hum of sewing machines filled the warehouse for decades and the building saw many uses over the years. Recently, for several years, the building sat empty. One hundred years after Tauber Ryttenberg and Company, Jim decided to make it a “shirt factory” once again.

“The building wasn’t for sale, and I just remember running by the old brick warehouse and noticing it was empty. It just kind of spoke to me,” Jim notes. “Here’s this big brick building one block from the square and it’s empty. How’s this possible? I knew I could work as an investigative journalist until I dropped dead, but I wanted to retire. I needed to find out if I could do something else in my life.”

Jim Ultimately persuaded the owner to part with the building. At age 59, Jim left a successful career behind him and followed a path of circumstance and serendipity. He admits he did not really have a plan for the building when he bought it in 2016. He was still living in New York at the time and hopping back and forth between the Big Apple and Lititz on the weekends. Teaming up with TONO Group architects – the same firm that adapted the building in which LUCA is located – Jim transformed the space into something that encompasses two of his life’s passions: beer and live music.

“I thought, ‘Let’s bring these two things that I love together,” says Jim, who started searching for the right brewer to bring into the space. “I wanted to really like their beer if they were going to be my tenant in the building.”

Collusion Tap Works, which is based in York, fills the first floor of the building, offering food and brews such as (left to right): Spinning Sounds (pale ale), Vivid River (tart session), Doomfinger (imperial stout) and Old Skool (West Coast IPA). The food menu includes a wide selection of apps/starters, flatbread pizza, salads, quesadillas, burgers and handhelds.

He came across Collusion Tap Works, which opened in York in 2016, and was impressed. The Barnes family, owners of Collusion, could easily manage the operations of a taproom and kitchen. What Jim wanted to oversee was booking and management of a music venue. 

The doors of the Lititz Shirt Factory finally opened in 2020, kind of. “My advice would be to not open up a music venue in the middle of a pandemic,” laughs Jim, now that the worst of pandemic closures seems to be behind him. “I mean, what was I going to do? I was already in. I was here full time when the pandemic struck, and I was dead in the water.”

The water has receded in the past few months and the Lititz Shirt Factory has hosted the likes of magician and mind reader Brian Curry, Nashville’s New Suede and an album release party for local singer and Broadway actor Max Bartos. The venue also helped Venture Lititz kick off the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival in February. This month, master magician, Chris Capehart, is slated to appear on April 9. 

Beyond music, the Lititz Shirt Factory is home to rotating resident artists who use the third floor as a working space and a gallery. The upper floors are also used to host weddings, class reunions, yoga classes, business meetings and other events. 

Looking ahead … more music. Jim likes all genres of music and books acts personally. “The only thing that I am looking for is that it be memorable, that the people who come to the Lititz Shirt Factory are wowed,” he says.

Jim’s love of Lititz (and beer and coffee) are wildly evident. He is as much a natural at promoting the venue in the town he loves as he was reporting on the hard news in front of a camera. In fact, he’s come full circle in a modern sort of way, as he is partnering with Kim Schaller, whose marketing career includes 30-plus years with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, to present podcasts via a show they call Shirt Factory Center Stage. 

For more information, visit lititzshirtfactory.com. 

Spring!

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Bluebirds remind us that happiness comes in small packages. Nancy Myer Witmer, who is a regular contributor to the Lancaster County Photography Facebook page, agrees with that sentiment, as she loves to “capture” the Eastern Bluebirds that visit her East Hempfield Township property. 

Bluebird Questions for Nancy: 

Q. How long have the Bluebirds been visiting your property? 

A. I’ve had Eastern Bluebirds raise nests of babies on my property twice in the last eight years. Actually, they come and check out the nest every spring, but the very aggressive House Sparrows usually chase them away. I’ve been at war with the House Sparrows forever and haven’t been very successful at keeping them away from the Bluebirds.

Q. Are the Bluebirds year-round visitors?

A. This was the first winter that I’ve seen Bluebirds in my yard. It’s also the first year I’ve put out mealworms – the Bluebirds love mealworms. For our 2021 family Christmas gift exchange, I asked for mealworms as my gift. I know it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but the mealworms brought the Bluebirds and the Bluebirds bring me joy every time I see them. 

Q. How large is the flock?

A. I’ve seen 10 to 15 Bluebirds at one time in the yard or in my tree. They don’t get along very well at the feeding dish so they usually eat individually or in small groups. They are interesting to watch. They patiently wait on each other until the feeder is vacant and then the next one flies to the dish and eats.

Q. Do other birds visit your property?

A. When I have bird seed or suet cakes out, I have lots of other birds visit. Cardinals show up but they don’t like my camera; I have a difficult time getting photos of them. I also have Woodpeckers, Finches of all varieties, Carolina Wrens, Dark-eyed Juncos and the ever-pesky House Sparrows. In February, Robins showed up; they discovered my mealworms and have been chowing down on them along with the Bluebirds.

Q. What’s your strategy for photographing the Bluebirds? How close do you get? Are they accustomed to seeing you?

A. The Bluebird house is about 25 feet from my home office window. When they are nesting in the summer, I keep an eye on them and take photos while I’m doing bookkeeping for our small family business. Their feeding dish is on my deck railing and I can watch them and take photos from my living room. The Bluebirds aren’t tame but they don’t seem to be afraid of me. 

I’ve changed out their feeding dishes to add some variety to my photos. They cooperate and eat from any dish or cup that I set out as long as it’s filled with mealworms.

What type of camera/lens do you use?

A. My camera is a Canon SX60 with an incredible zoom lens. 

Nancy and her dog, Jasper.

Agapē Café & Grille: Dining & Shopping Under One Roof

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Agapē Café & Grille’s warm and inviting vibe is instantly felt upon entering. Staff members offer friendly smiles and warmly welcome guests to the Strasburg-area restaurant that opened its doors in October 2020. In addition to the café, the complex includes the Beautiful Home Interiors store.  

The Charcuterie Board is a perfect choice for those who want to share a menu item.

“When people walk in the front door, we want them to feel welcome,” says Ruthie Stoltzfus, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, JR. Having grown up on a Strasburg-area farm, she is happy to have a restaurant in Lancaster County. “We love Central Pennsylvania, and I always talked about having a restaurant here,” she explains. “We’re excited to be here in our hometown.”

This is the Stoltzfuses’ second restaurant, as they’ve owned and operated Dutch Family Restaurant in Germantown, Maryland, for over 15 years. Ruthie started working there when she was 16; she and JR bought the restaurant in 2005. They also own Beautiful Home Furniture and Design, which is located adjacent to the Germantown restaurant. Ruthie explains that the home-design and furniture store grew out of the spring and fall showcase design events they once held at their home. 

Burgers are made with 100% USDA choice Angus.

The couple also incorporated a similar retail store – Beautiful Home Interiors – adjacent to Agapē Café. In addition to furnishings and home décor, the store also features specialty items made by local artisans, as well as seasonal items for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other holidays. The two spaces are open to one another, allowing guests waiting to dine at the café to browse the store.

When the couple knew they would finally be opening a restaurant in Strasburg, Ruthie says coming up with a name wasn’t easy. “I prayed on it and came up with the name ‘agapē’ which is the highest form of love – it’s unconditional love,” she explains. 

Avocado Toast: Mashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, bacon, feta and basil on sourdough toast with balsamic vinegar.

Agapē seats about 120 inside, with seating consisting of a combination of high-tops, tables and booths. There’s also a private event space at the rear of the restaurant that seats up to 20 people. Outdoors, the tables on the covered porch can accommodate about 25 guests. “People really enjoy the outdoor dining area; we have patio heaters for the cooler shoulder months,” Ruthie notes.

A display case inside the front door sets the tone, as it features an array of tempting house-made pastries and desserts. Menu items are crafted using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

Seating is available at high-tops, tables and booths. In addition, Agapē Café & Grille offers a space for private events and a covered patio for outdoor dining.

Breakfast is served until noon and features such popular items as avocado toast and the western omelette, as well as platters such as creamed beef; sandwiches and wraps; waffles, including the popular Red, White & Blue waffle; pancakes and French toast.

The menu also features an array of coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as Agapē’s signature macarons.

Lunch and dinner items include homemade soup; appetizers such as fried pickles and sweet potato fries; hot and cold sandwiches and wraps and fresh salads. Burgers are made from 100% USDA choice Angus, which is freshly ground in-house. 

Like its sister restaurant in Germantown, Maryland, Agapē adjoins a home décor store, Beautiful Home Interiors.

Barbecue/smoked items include a smoked-meat sandwich (pork, brisket or pastrami) and a smokey brisket burger (burger, smoked brisket, smoked Gouda cheese, BBQ sauce and spring mix on a toasted brioche bun). Smoked burnt ends are on the appetizer menu, and there’s even a smoked brisket salad. Smoked-meat platters that include ribs are also available. Smoked meats are made with Agapē’s recipes and are smoked on the premises. Seafood platters entail crab cakes, fish or shrimp. 

Boards such as the snack board, smokehouse board and charcuterie board are available for sharing. 

Menu items are also available to go.

Agapē Café also offers a variety of coffees, hot teas, frappes and affogatos (a scoop of ice cream and espresso.) There’s also a variety of refreshing herb-infused fruit spritzers. 

Operating a restaurant in her hometown of Strasburg has always been a dream of Ruthie Stoltzfus, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, JR.

Agapē Café & Grille is located at 366 Hartman Bridge Road (Route 896) in Ronks. Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Note: Reservations are not available, although call-ahead seating is offered. Online orders may be placed via the website. For more information, call 717-687-7590 or visit agapecafeandgrille.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

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